The Importance Of Language In Communication

Language is an object that is central to human lives as it is perhaps the most significant cultural tool that separates humans from any other species (Evans, 2014). As language is multimodal, it is often described as a combination of words, sounds, gestures and images created by the mind, used in context with the assistance of objects, actions and interactions (Gee & Hayes, p. 7, 2011). The topics discussed in this essay will demonstrate the importance of language as both an object and as a social process, as a teacher’s approach to diversity in the classroom can be either damaging to a student’s educational experience or uplifting and positive.

The positive effects of adult support for children can be witnessed as children gain confidence and show an increased level of self-esteem. These positive effects are reinforced when encouraged and given praise for their achievements from teachers, parents, carers, and other adults.

Throughout the history of language, we have developed such a strong understanding on the effects of communication and how as humans we need this social standard to ultimately survive and get through day to day tasks, in this piece I am going to explore how at different points in time and different social standards how if we derive social context and human interaction from communication it separates and completely takes away from the sole purpose of ‘language’. We will look at how children in the classroom are constantly seeking cognitive challenges and how to attach information and knowledge into the process of developing a structured vocabulary and grammar system to communicate to the others around them, and how throughout time our need for

I have learnt that language can be cognitive, material or social (Gee & Hayes, 2011). Some view language as a set of social conventions, shared by a group of people about how to communicate such as classroom or sporting rules, often supplied in books and followed by people. Children don’t read books so social conventions need to be taught by modelling behaviour and communication.

Language plays many roles in our lives as “language is both a social tool and an information tool” (Hayes & Gee, 2011, p.24). Language is a powerful means of communication, learning and self expression; and contributes substantially to our sense of identity, wellbeing and belonging. Children predominantly learn language from observing and interacting with adults. The manner in which adults use language and interact with children, determines how children learn to use language

Language is a core and critical component in interpersonal relationships. Therefore, it makes sense that research is starting to reveal the specific ways individuals communicate can have a great impact in how well two people get along, how well two people like each other, and how similar those two people are in other ways. The Bower (n.d.) article shows that specific words, such as pronouns, can be the key to determining conversational alignment. The pronouns people use when speaking or writing indicate how much the person is other-centered versus self-centered. The so-called "function words" are important because they "tap into verbal coordination between two people because these words are independent of conversation topics and require shared knowledge to be used effectively," (Bower 2). It is for this reason that people from two completely different ethnic backgrounds, or people with entirely different careers or political views can share lives and get along.

Education is an important aspect to many people’s lives. The public school system is utilized on a daily basis to help educate students across America including Virginia. There are many major events which impact our education systems. In 1974, the Lau v. Nichols event occurred to expand the rights of students. Even though some people believe all students should not be treated equally, the Lau v. Nichols court decision states differently. In public schools, English is to be taught, language deficiency is not a problem, and students should not be discriminated against for their limited English skills.

As a child born in the U.S. growing up with parents who come from a completely different country, knowing a language that is distinct from what they know, and with an education similar to a child in the third grade. It was very hard to learn how to read or write in my early childhood. My parents would have helped if they knew good enough English and have had a higher education level than a third grader but unfortunately they did not. There was a huge language gap between my parents and I. They would speak in their Guatemalan dialect, I would be in school speaking in English, and come back home to my parents speaking Spanish, it was extremely challenging in my adolescent years. Yes, I had teachers in school that would help me out, but there were so many other students that needed their help as well. I never really had a teacher that really influenced me into getting better. Many of them thought I was doing okay in the subject and did not think I needed help at all. As I grew older language arts and writing was not my strongest subject throughout elementary school, even to this day it is still not my best subject. I did not care much of the subject because I could never really understand on what I am supposed to write or do, what I would do is do the bare minimum enough to get me an A or a high B, because it was not the subject that I was the most interested in. Fortunately, there was the PBS network, on the T.V. we had, with animated shows such as Martha Speaks, Super Why,

How language is used to communicate depends on the social context it functions within. Language can be used to convey and make meaning from the semiotic system of spoken and written communication (Fellowes & Oakley, 2014, p. 19). Language has multiple functions, to convey feelings, wants or needs, or to argue a point of view (Halliday, 1975, p. 19). Each function utilises different vocabularies and tones for the situational need. For instance, when persuasively arguing a point a louder, more confident tone might be used, partnered with intense eye contact, formal vocabulary and bold hand gestures (Fellowes & Oakley, 2014, p. 18). The intended function partly influences how a person uses language, with another influential factor being the social situation in which language is functioning. In a social situation, a person determines the vocabulary and tone that will be most effective for their intention in that situation, however, as the situation changes, those decisions must be rapidly ready to change if needed (Winch, 2014, p. XXXVI). A person in a business meeting will use formal vocabulary and tone in comparison to a person out with friends, who will likely use informal tone and colloquial vocabulary. In either situation, if the vocabulary and tone do not suit the social context, successful functioning within that situation is compromised, and a person considered out of place in that context.

According to Tony Wagner, collaboration across networks, adaptability, and effective oral and written communication are among the most important skills for which employers today are looking. In America, “the fastest growing segment of the U.S. public school population is English-language learners, which means that” learning a foreign language is not just beneficial in order to speak to people around the world – it is also beneficial in order to speak to our own American citizens (Cox). Therefore, globally, and even locally, the skills necessary for economic success cannot be complete without collaboration across global networks, language adaptability, and oral and written foreign language communication. Foreign languages and the knowledge that comes with them include much more than simply communicating with others – it includes exposure to “a different set of aesthetics, cuisines, philosophies, politics, histories, and traditions” that even further expands the speaker’s mind (Kim). In the globalized world in which we live today, foreign interactions are common in the workplace, on social media, and in politics as technology has made it easier than ever to have conversations with people thousands of miles away. Globalization has made foreign countries far more accessible for us to reach, communicate with, and create relationships with, in business or personally. Communicating with foreign language speakers is a definite step in the direction of true globalization, but in

Language is the means upon which human express themselves. Many linguistic anthropologists and philosophers refer to language as the culmination of the expressive activities of humans such as verbal, physical and paralinguistic actions. It is the common aspect that humans share. Social scientists even refer to language as what makes us “human”. However, the main aspect of language which deems it vital to human being is what Ahearn says as the Socially-charged Life of Language. This means that language lives with it a particular context of a certain culture that is perpetuated by the means of social actions and activities such speaking and using that particular language. Language is a repository of culture and historical richness of its speakers. It, per se, highlights and showcases cultural variety which accents the uniqueness of that particular culture.

It was during the 1800s that a decision was taken which had ended up being the turning point for the language in education scenario in India and changed the orientation of language priority in Indian education. The decision was taken to ignore the vernacular medium education and concentrate entirely on English as the single language for instruction (Paranjpe & Prasad, 2010)(Sridhar, 1989). It was made clear that those who had attained education in English would be preferred over the vernacular educated class. English had become the language of higher education and with the establishment of the prestigious universities in the major cities like Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, Lahore, Allahabad and Punjab, English had achieved its supremacy (Sridhar, 1989) (Krishnaswamy & Krishnaswamy, 2006). From this point onwards education came to be equated with English education and those who studied in vernacular medium were put permanently in the background (Sridhar, 1989), a mindset prevalent in the mind of Indians even today. Despite the changes which were made in the language policies in the 1900s to make space for vernacular languages in the educational setting did not meet with the expected success (Krishnaswamy & Krishnaswamy, 2006) (Sridhar, 1989). By 1970s and 1980s about one-third of the India had its schools using English as their medium of instruction (Paranjpe & Prasad, 2010). Hence the language in education policy during the colonial era had created two different media of

I am interested in the overarching influence of language in human culture. My Individually Designed Major in linguistics reflects this interest and prepares me for the application of linguistics in the field.

Once in a while, when communicating, there can be boundaries that influence what you may attempt to convey. Effective correspondence is essential in guaranteeing that whoever you are talking comprehends what you are stating and it stays clear all through. One of the examples of a barrier is noises in the background. This can be as individuals talking around you or when you are out talking on the telephone and there is a considerable measure of movement. This can cause a great deal of issues for you and the person who you are communicating with since you both will battle to decipher what the other individual is attempting to state particularly if the commotion is noteworthy. It can likewise make somebody misconstrue you and think you said an option that is other than what you were stating, which can prompt clash and different issues. In the event that foundation commotion turns out to be excessively, individuals are compelled to yell just to guarantee that the other individual can be heard. Diversions can cause you issues when imparting to somebody since you place centre in to them and not into the speaker. A decent case of a diversion would be your telephone. In the event that your telephone is always ringing and making clamour, it occupies the speaker and you. It softens the focus you have up tuning in and the speaker may think that it’s impolite that you won't kill your telephone, which like some time recently, may prompt clash in addition to other things. Being less

Language is “our spoken, written, or signed words and the ways we combine them to communicate meaning” (Myers, 2017, p. 318). Language is the foundation how we communicate to one another. The building blocks of language consist of phonemes, morphemes, and grammar (Myers, 2017, p. 319). Phonemes are small sound units in language, morphemes are small units that carry meaning, and grammar is a system of rules that help us to communicate to each other (Myers, 2017, p. 319). Each building block brings together the complexity of language built by simplicity (Myers, 2017, p. 319). Language develops as individuals continue throughout life and become older. Learning language is crucial for infants, being able to recognize sounds in their everyday lives. These sounds begin to become words and their intelligence begins to blossom very quickly. “Language is a two- way process that involves sending information (language production) and receiving information (language comprehension)” (Wessinger, 2017, page 1). We are able to comprehend what we may not have learned before, and eventually become more intelligent with age. As Mohan says,